About storytelling in Michigan or including Michigan storytellers. This includes links to find local Michigan, regional, & national storytelling organizations. Other issues of interest to lovers of storytelling in Michigan also are found here. Be sure to visit the Bulletin Board page for the latest information.
An important part of this website is the regular posting & archiving of issues of the email newsletter, "MI Story."

January 2, White Lake 7:00-9:00 p.m.
May-Nov Fisk Farm North Oakland County Storytellers (NOCS) welcomes new members to their monthly meetings. or contact Carolyn Graves, 258-363-6149 for meeting location.

January 3, Hartland 6:30 pm
Come listen to stories from members of your community on the theme 'New
Beginnings.' Participate by contributing your own tale. Stories must be
true, first-person, and no more than 5 minutes long. The evening's
festivities will be facilitated by Beverly Black of the Ann Arbor
Storytellers Guild. Cromaine Library, 3688 N. Hartland Road. Free
admission, please register. Contact 810-632-5200.

January 3, Ann Arbor 6:00 p.m. doors open/7:30 p.m. stories begin
Moth Story Slam located at Circus Bar, 210 S. First Avenue, thanks to
Michigan Public Radio. Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your
name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up and tell your true
personal story live without notes. Volunteers from the audience judge
the stories. Info: www.theMoth.org Note: adults only. Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $8 at the door. This month’s theme “Voyage.”

January 5, Detroit 7:00 p.m. doors open/7:00 p.m. stories begin
The monthly Moth Story Slam located at the Marble Bar, 1501 Holden St.
Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if
your name is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live
without notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Note:
adults only. Info: www.theMoth.org Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $5 at the door. This month’s theme is: “Voyage.”

January 11, Muskegon 7:00-9:00 p.m.Muskegon Yarnspinners: welcome new members at their monthly
meetings from October through May at the Hope Reformed Church, 1878
Evanston, (Corner of Quarterline and Evanston). Monthly meetings
continue from June through September at members' homes. Contact Ned
Carter, 231-755-2383 or email him at carteredwin93@yahoo.com

January 14, Detroit 2:00 p.m.
Interactive storyteller, Gwendolyn Lewis, will share "The Life of Martin
Luther King Jr. Through the Eyes of Coretta Scott King" at the Conely
Public Library. The location is 4600 Martin St. For additional
information you may contact the library at 313-481-1590.

January 17, Ann Arbor 6:00 p.m. doors open/7:30 p.m. stories begin
Doors open at 6:00 for the monthly Moth Story Slam located at Circus
Bar, 210 S. First Avenue, thanks to Michigan Public Radio. Prepare a 5
minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name
is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live without
notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Info: www.theMoth.org Note:
adults only. Language and topics are often unsuitable for children.
Tickets $8 at the door. This month’s theme “” Check website to confirm
listing.

January 17, Grand Rapids 7:00-9:00 p.m.StorySpinners of Grand Rapids welcomes new members to their monthly meeting in members’ homes call Gloria Cangelosi for more information storyspinnersgr@gmail.com

January 23, Traverse City 7:00 p.m.
"Passport." Here: Say is a live, monthly storytelling series held on the
third Monday of each month at InsideOut Gallery, 229 Garland Street. At
this show, performers will tell tales of international travel. Free.
Visit heresaystorytelling.com to listen to the podcast of past shows and write to us at heresaytc@gmail.com if you're interested in performing at an upcoming show.

January 28, Detroit 10:00 am-12:00 p.m.Detroit Association of Black Storytellers invites you to attend
their monthly meeting at the Charles Wright Museum of African American
History, 315 E Warren Ave. Join us for a story, workshop, refreshments
and business meeting. www.detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com or call: Amy Jackson 313-567-5949. New members welcome.

FEBRUARY

February 2, Detroit 7:00 p.m. doors open/7:00 p.m. stories begin
The monthly Moth Story Slam located at the Marble Bar, 1501 Holden St.
Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if
your name is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live
without notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Note:
adults only. Info: www.theMoth.org Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $5 at the door. This month’s theme is:

February 3 and 4 Kalamazoo
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum celebrates their 5th Annual Storytelling
Festival, “Searching for Peace!” Storytellers from across the United
States will come together to explore unity, equality, diversity, and
inclusion for all. This two-day festival starts with Art Hop Friday
night, February 3. Poet Terry Wooten opens the festival at 6
p.m. Visual artist and speed painter Martina Hahn joins Joe Reilly in
concert at 7 p.m. A variety of Martina’s paintings will also be on
display and for sale. Michigan author Patricia Polacco opens up the
festival Saturday, February 4, at 10 a.m., followed by Adam Mellema,
Mark Binder, Tim Cusack, Noa Baum, Sidney Ellis and son, and Judy Sima
at the top of every hour till 4 p.m. Authors, educators, and visual
artists fill the vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Wizards of Pop
exhibit on our first floor features pop-up books from Robert Sabuda and
Matthew Reinhart. African-American story quilts fill the third floor
traveling exhibit space in And Still We Rise: Race, Culture, and Visual
Conversations, showing the history of the civil rights movement in
stitches. 230 North Rose Street. Museum admission, vendor fair, and
Storytelling Festival are all FREE http://kvm.kvcc.edu/plan/storytelling.html

February 7, Detroit 5:00 p.m.
"Stories Told With A Purpose- African American Tales Come Alive".
Interactive storyteller, Gwendolyn Lewis, shares music, songs and
stories to families and friends at the Elmwood Library, 550 Chene St.
You may contact the library at 313-877-8014 for additional information.

February 7, White Lake 7:00-9:00 p.m.
May-Nov Fisk Farm North Oakland County Storytellers (NOCS) welcomes new members to their monthly meetings.. or contact Carolyn Graves, 258-363-6149 for meeting location.

February 8 Muskegon 7:00-9:00 p.m.Muskegon Yarnspinners: welcome new members at their monthly
meetings from October through May at the Hope Reformed Church, 1878
Evanston, (Corner of Quarterline and Evanston). Monthly meetings
continue from June through September at members' homes. Contact Ned
Carter, 231-755-2383 or email him at carteredwin93@yahoo.com

February 9, Ann Arbor 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Story Night in Crazy Wisdom Tea Room. Come, lend an ear to tales old
and new, during an evening of stories for grownups., 114 South Main
Street. Enjoy delicious desserts, exotic teas, or a light supper while
listening to Ann Arbor Storytellers’ Guild members. Info: www.facebook.com/annarborstorytellers or www.annarborstorytelling.org. Free but donations are accepted.

February 20, Traverse City 7:00 p.m.
"Passport." Here:Say is a live, monthly storytelling series held on the
third Monday of each month at InsideOut Gallery, 229 Garland Street. At
this show, performers will tell tales of international travel. Free.
Visit heresaystorytelling.com to listen to the podcast of past shows and write to us at heresaytc@gmail.com if you're interested in performing at an upcoming show.

February 21, Hartland 6:30 pm
Come listen to stories from members of your community on the theme 'Luck
and Coincidence.' Participate by contributing your own tale. Stories
must be true, first-person, and no more than 5 minutes long. The
evening's festivities will be facilitated by Laura Hayes of the Ann
Arbor Storytellers Guild. Cromaine Library, 3688 N. Hartland Road.
Free admission, please register. Contact 810-632-5200.

February 21, Ann Arbor 6:00 p.m. doors open/7:30 p.m. stories begin
Doors open at 6:00 for the monthly Moth Story Slam located at Circus
Bar, 210 S. First Avenue, thanks to Michigan Public Radio. Prepare a 5
minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name
is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live without
notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Info: www.theMoth.org Note: adults only. Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $8 at the door. This month’s theme “”

February 21, Grand Rapids 7:00-9:00 p.m.StorySpinners of Grand Rapids welcomes new members to their monthly meeting in members’ homes call Gloria Cangelosi for more information storyspinnersgr@gmail.com

February 25, Detroit 10:00 am-12:00 p.m.Detroit Association of Black Storytellers invites you to attend
their monthly meeting at the Charles Wright Museum of African American
History, 315 E Warren Ave. Join us for a story, workshop, refreshments
and business meeting. www.detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com or call: Amy Jackson 313-567-5949. New members welcome.

February 25, Detroit 12:00 p.m.
The annual and always fun “African American History Family Day” at the
Detroit Historical Museum. Master Storyteller Ivory D. Williams displays
his trademark wit, wisdom and humor with an array of stories to the
delight of youth and adults alike. Detroit Historical Museum auditorium,
5401 Woodward. Free admission, for info contact: 313-833-1801

March 2, Detroit 7:00 p.m. doors open/7:00 p.m. stories begin
The monthly Moth Story Slam located at the Marble Bar, 1501 Holden St.
Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if
your name is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live
without notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Note:
adults only. Info: www.theMoth.org Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $5 at the door. This month’s theme is: “Grudge.”

March 8, Muskegon 7:00-9:00 p.m.Muskegon Yarnspinners: welcome new members at their monthly
meetings from October through May at the Hope Reformed Church, 1878
Evanston, (Corner of Quarterline and Evanston). Monthly meetings
continue from June through September at members' homes. Contact Ned
Carter, 231-755-2383 or email him at carteredwin93@yahoo.com

March 9, Ann Arbor 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Story Night in Crazy Wisdom Tea Room. Come, lend an ear to tales old
and new, during an evening of stories for grownups. 114 South Main
Street. Enjoy delicious desserts, exotic teas, or a light supper while
listening to Ann Arbor Storytellers’ Guild members. Free but donations
are accepted.
Info: www.facebook.com/annarborstorytellers or www.annarborstorytelling.org.

March 16, Oak Park, 6:00 p.m.
"Plant A Seed... Read!! After Storytelling...Then What?" Gwendolyn
Lewis, author and former librarian, will share techniques parents may
use to motivate their children to read. Bring your child so you as a
team may grow together.
The free make-and take-workshop will be held at Oak Park Public Library
14200 Oak Park Blvd. The contact number is 248-691-7480 for
reservations.

March 20, Traverse City 7:00 p.m.
"Passport." Here:Say is a live, monthly storytelling series held on the
third Monday of each month at InsideOut Gallery, 229 Garland Street. At
this show, performers will tell tales of international travel. Free.
Visit heresaystorytelling.com to listen to the podcast of past shows and write to us at heresaytc@gmail.com if you're interested in performing at an upcoming show.

March 21, Ann Arbor 6:00 p.m. doors open/7:30 p.m. stories begin
Doors open at 6:00 for the monthly Moth Story Slam located at Circus
Bar, 210 S. First Avenue, thanks to Michigan Public Radio. Prepare a 5
minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name
is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live without
notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Info: www.theMoth.org Note: adults only. Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $8 at the door. This month’s theme “”

March 21, Grand Rapids 7:00-9:00 p.m. StorySpinners of Grand Rapids welcomes new members to their monthly meeting in members’ homes call Gloria Cangelosi for more information storyspinnersgr@gmail.com

March 25, Detroit 10:00 am-12:00 p.m.Detroit Association of Black Storytellers invites you to attend
their monthly meeting at the Charles Wright Museum of African American
History, 315 E Warren Ave. Join us for a story, workshop, refreshments
and business meeting. www.detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com or call: Amy Jackson 313-567-5949. New members welcome.

WELCOME!

Here you will find information about storytelling in Michigan or including Michigan storytellers. This includes links to find local Michigan storytelling, national, & regional organizations. Other issues of interest to lovers of storytelling in Michigan also are found here. Be sure to visit theBulletin Board page for the latest information.

An important part of this website is the regular posting & archiving of issues of MI Story. MI Story is published by: Yvonne Healy, Editor-in-Chief; Judy Sima, Distribution Editor; Lois Sprengnether Keel, Webmaster.

To view the current issue or a past issue of MI Story, click on the Recent Posts of interest.

51% or greater Spoken Word/Narrative;

open to the General Public;

feature either Michigan storyteller or Michigan location.

Search This Site

Transition of MI Story Archive

This site has moved to Blogger while keeping the domain name of http://www.michiganstorytelling.org . Because all issues prior to this move were added at one time, the listing of the first two years' issues is misleading. To find each individual month for those initial two years, look under April, 2010.

About Me

For the best overview of my work, go to my website at http://www.LoiS-sez.com, however you will find me in many places beyond that!

My storytelling takes you Around the World & Back Through Time with folktales to match your topic or historical reenactments. While most of my storytelling has been in Michigan, I've told in other states, the territory of Puerto Rico, plus Canada, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, & St. Kitts. My Theatre undergraduate degree influences my storytelling & graduate degree in Library Science leads me to research widely. Starting in 1970, I've years of storytelling experience. Until 2006, this was combined with librarianship. That year I was accepted into the MI performing arts touring directory & left Mount Clemens Public Library (where I was in charge of Children's Services) for full-time storytelling. My current listing with MI Arts & Humanities Directory was renewed & runs through 2018. My passion for supporting storytelling includes storytelling organizations, hosting http://MichiganStorytelling.org & founded Mt.C. Raconteurs & North Oakland County Storytellers, serving their 1st 2 yrs. as president. I was also a long-time active member of Flint Area Story Tellers. FAST and the Raconteurs are currently dormant. I also love to teach storytelling. I believe exposure to storytelling is critical to the acceptance of this art & foundational to language skills. Online I am an assistant administrator for the international network of storytellers at http://professionalstoryteller.ning.com. I'm the National Storytelling Network's Michigan State Liaison and for many years was on the Board of Youth, Educators, Storytellers (Y.E.S.!) Alliance as their webmaster. I also am a certified WordWeaving instructor, a teaching method especially suited to teachers & librarians, but useful for any beginning storytellers. I've training from V.S.A. Arts & have done both residency & special event work for this organization focused on bringing the arts to the disabled. I wrote a portion of the book, Tell the World; Storytelling Across Language Barriers, compiled & edited by Margaret Read MacDonald. My chapter was about telling with Sign Language.

Besides my website there's my blog of research topics related to my work at Storytelling + Research = LoiS and now includes a Civil War Sesquicentennial blog, Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Infantry, where I posted the newspaper articles about this regiment which has been little documented, but was part of the reason Abraham Lincoln said "Thank God for Michigan!" as they engaged in most major battles of the Civil War. I hope you visit both the blog and my website, http://www.LoiS-sez.com.